Speakeasy Launches VOIP Solution for Broadband Consumers

Last Updated: November 30, 1999

SEATTLE, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Speakeasy (http://www.speakeasy.net), the
nation's largest independent broadband services provider, is launching
Speakeasy Voice, which will provide the most reliable, highest quality Voice
Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) service available anywhere today. The service
will be available to existing and new Speakeasy broadband subscribers.
Speakeasy is now the only provider to offer a simple and streamlined
"broadband + voice" service nationwide. Customers who sign up for the service
by the end of the year will receive three months of free unlimited calling
anywhere in the United States and Canada. After the three-month period, the
basic service price will be just $29.95 per month.
Speakeasy Voice is designed to work seamlessly with the company's range of
connectivity packages, especially the recently introduced OneLink(TM), which
provides nationwide dedicated loop ADSL (or "naked" DSL) without the hassle of
a phone line.
"We asked our customers what was most important to them in a VOIP
solution. The overwhelming answer was quality and reliability," said Bruce
Chatterley, Speakeasy president and CEO. "We listened and developed the first
VOIP service in the nation with VQ Technology. With other VOIP services, your
call quality deteriorates significantly when you are downloading a file or
even surfing the web. VQ Technology enables Speakeasy to prioritize voice
traffic over data traffic, so call quality is never affected by your online
activities."
From a base of almost zero at the end of 2003, VOIP telephony services are
predicted to grow to about 400,000 households by the end of 2004, and to
12.1 million by 2009 (Source: Jupiter Research, August 2004).
VOIP enables voice communication to be digitized and transmitted in
digital packets rather than by traditional, circuit-committed protocols. New
Speakeasy Voice customers will receive a telephone adaptor and quick-start
instructions and from there, they simply plug their phone and DSL modem into
the adaptor and then are ready to make and receive calls. Speakeasy Voice
provides local, long distance and international calling, as well as many of
the popular features such as caller ID, call waiting, last call return, voice
mail, directory assistance and more. Additionally, Speakeasy Voice's 911
service is fully integrated with local Public Safety Answering Points from day
one and will provide name, address and phone number information for proper
emergency dispatch -- unlike other providers who rely on cellular or analog
backup 911 trunks.
Speakeasy Voice is available to Speakeasy broadband subscribers for a
$40 installation fee; unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada is free for the
first three months to those customers who sign up for Speakeasy Voice by
December 31, 2004. Thereafter, the service is $29.95 per month. The service is
ideal when combined with OneLink(TM) the first nationwide "naked" DSL service.
Speakeasy Voice can also be added to any other Speakeasy broadband connection,
with VQ Technology included in all Speakeasy Voice packages.
Customers interested in Speakeasy Voice may obtain more information by
visiting http://www.speakeasy.net/residential/voice or by calling 800-890-5214.

About Speakeasy
Founded in 1994, Speakeasy is the nation's largest independent broadband
service provider. Combining a nationwide network, intelligent customer service
along with pioneering technologies and product offerings, Speakeasy delivers a
superior online experience for demanding broadband users. Speakeasy broadband
is available in most metropolitan areas within the 48 contiguous states. Those
interested in Speakeasy's broadband service can visit http://www.speakeasy.net or
call customer service at 800-556-5829.